Glen Ellyn to change liquor laws to accommodate brunch

GLEN ELLYN – Glen Ellyn restaurants will begin serving alcohol at 10 a.m. on Sundays, after the Village Board approved a change to the village's Liquor Control Code in response to requests from local businesses.

The Sunday hours of liquor sale were previously restricted to a noon start time. However, restaurants wishing to offer alcoholic beverages with their brunch menu sought the change.

"This change in process has been under consideration for many years," Village President Alex Demos said in an email. "I felt that the request was reasonable, and it would allow our restaurants and hotel the opportunity to offer Sunday and holiday brunches in a more competitive manner."

The noon restriction had been based on the Sunday Blue Laws, which initially were meant to enforce religious standards, officials said. Those laws now govern the sale of other items on Sundays as well, including cars.

Since Glen Ellyn is a Home Rule Community, officials have the authority to modify the Sunday Blue Laws. With the Village Board vote, trustees upheld a unanimous recommendation from Glen Ellyn's Local Liquor Control Commission to change the hours of sale.

In order for the change to go into effect, the Village Code will be updated, officials said. The new hours specifically affect Class A, B, E and F liquor license holders.